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Laser Hair Removal

About Laser Hair Removal

Unwanted hair is a common problem, for both men and women. Frequent hair removal chores including shaving, depilatories, plucking, and waxing are time-consuming, inconvenient and often painful. At best, these frequently used methods offer only temporary results – for some only a few hours. It’s no surprise that according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, laser hair removal is the 3rd most performed non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the US1.

Free yourself from the constant need to shave and wax unwanted facial and body hair in order to look and feel your best. Laser technology has brought us a better way, a safe, long-lasting way to remove unwanted hair from any part of the body, leaving skin feeling smooth and looking great.

We can help you get at the root of the problem with our state of-the-art Elite+ laser system. Laser hair removal gives you effective, permanent hair reduction anywhere on your body that you have unwanted hair. Whether it’s your face, legs, back, or bikini line, you can have the results you want.

Contact us to find out how we can help you get to the root of unwanted hair.

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How It Works

To understand how laser hair removal works, it’s helpful to understand how your hair works.

How Your Hair Grows

Hair grows from deep within hair follicles, which are thin cavities embedded in the skin. Hair does not grow continuously, but grows in a three-phase cycle.

  1. Anagen Phase. This phase is where the hair actively grows. The Anagen phase typically lasts for several months and is the best phase for Laser Hair Removal.
  2. Catagen Phase. During this brief phase, the hair bulb regresses and begins to shrink.
  3. Telogen Phase. The final phase is a resting phase which lasts a few months. During the Telogen phase, the hair is released from the follicle. After the resting phase is complete, the hair will restart the Anagen or growth phase.

While the rate at which hair grows differs by individual, the length of the hair growth cycle generally depends on the type of hair and area of the body. For example, the active growth phase of the hair on your head may last several years, while hair on the body has an active growth phase that may last only a few months.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

During laser hair removal procedures, a laser device emits light energy that travels through the skin and is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and hair shaft. Pigments are the substances that give skin and hair its color (also known as melanin). The energy absorbed damages the pigmented hair follicle, which impairs its ability to grow. Hair follicles that are in the anagen, or active growth phase, have more pigment and absorb more energy, and typically respond the best to treatments. For this reason, it typically takes multiple treatments to achieve the best results – it’s important to “catch” your hair in this active growth phase when you are receiving treatments

Technology We Use

There are many devices for laser hair removal however, we use the best in laser technology, the Cynosure® Elite+. The Elite+ uses two proven laser wavelengths that provide treatments for patients of all skin types. Treatments with this system are fast, effective, and safe.

Fast

With spot sizes up to 24mm, the Elite+ laser provides fast treatments, allowing you to resume your normal activities as quickly as possible. These larger sized spots make for quick treatments of larger areas such as the back, legs, or chest.

Effective

The Elite+ contains two different wavelengths that provide effective treatments on patients of all skin types. Our alexandrite crystal is best suited for lighter skin areas and out Nd:YAG laser is safe for darker skinned or tanned patients. Our clinicians may use one or both to provide you with optimal results.

Safe

The Elite+ system has been in clinical use for many years and been proven safe in many publications.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR TREATMENT

Prior to your procedure you should make sure the area being treated is freshly shaven. This will allow for effective energy delivery of the laser device to your hair follicles, thus providing a more effective treatment. During the treatment, the clinician will guide the device over the treatment area. As he or she does, it will deliver light energy, which travels through your skin and is absorbed by the hair follicles. You may feel cold air blowing throughout the treatment for added comfort. You will also hear a slight beep as the laser delivers this energy into your skin. It is normal to feel a slight snapping like a rubber band as the energy is being delivered. We also offer topical numbing to maximize relief.

AFTER YOUR TREATMENT

Hairs that were present in the follicles at the time of treatment will fall out over the next couple of days to weeks and future hair growth will be impaired. Since not all hairs are actively growing at the same time multiple treatments are required for optimal results. As the follicles in the transitional and resting periods return to the active growth phase, you may notice some hair regrowth but not as thick as it was before the treatment. This regrowth will become thinner and lighter with each subsequent treatment until there is little, to no hair at all.

Pigmented Lesions

If you have some sort of skin discoloration, you’re not alone. In fact, facial brown spots and discoloration are the top reasons for cosmetic visits to dermatologists.

Although you may have tried and failed with previous efforts to erase pigment, newer technologies have resulted in some remarkable outcomes. Laser treatments represent a breakthrough in age-defying skin care that treats skin non-invasively.

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WHAT ARE PIGMENTED LESIONS?

Pigmentation is the color in your skin produced by melanin, a natural pigment that also determines eye and hair color. However, if too much melanin is produced in one area, the result is a brown patch on your skin. Too much melanin can result from sun exposure, aging, and/or hereditary or congenital factors. Common pigmented lesions include:

Age Spots or “Liver” Spots. Smaller darkened patches usually on older adults who have been exposed to the sun for many years. These spots are most commonly found on the face, forearms and backs of hands.

Post-inflammatory Hyper-Pigmentation. This type of hyper-pigmentation results from any inflammatory injury or trauma to the skin. For example, acne often leaves dark discoloration after a blemish heals. Rashes like psoriasis and eczema often darken the skin as well.

Pigmented lesions can vary in size, shape and depth. Some are no bigger than a fingertip or even a pinhead, while others may be as large as a hand and occur in conspicuous places such as the face, neck or arms. They can be either raised or flat and are usually a cosmetic rather than a medical concern. However, all pigmented lesions need to be looked at prior to treatment to confirm. During your consultation we will determine if your pigmented lesions are safe to treat.

HOW LASER PIGMENT CORRECTION WORKS

Our lasers are specifically designed to target the excessive pigmented cells producing the unwanted spot. They provide a treatment that’s fast, easy and well-tolerated. It can make your skin look younger by removing age spots, sun spots, uneven pigmentation, diffuse redness and by stimulating collagen production thus improving your skin texture.

The laser handpiece is placed over the skin where the brown spot or other pigmentation sits and a bright flash of light is released. This light is absorbed by the pigment in sunspots and converted to heat. The heat damages the cells that created the pigment and cause your body to naturally dispose of this tissue while creating new, healthy tissue.

TECHNOLOGY WE USE

Here at Som K Plastic Surgery we use the most advanced system available – the Elite+ laser from Cynosure®. The Elite+ is best-in-class and lets us give you the results you want. 2 in 1 it is actually two lasers in one system. Each laser is better at targeting different unwanted conditions, giving you the best result possible. Thousands of treatments have been performed with the Elite+ laser and it has been proven safe and effective on patients of all skin types.

Fast. With spot sizes up to 24mm, the Elite+ laser provides fast treatments, allowing you to resume your normal activities as quickly as possible. These larger sized spots make for quick treatments of larger areas such as the back, legs, or chest.

Effective. The Elite+ contains two different wavelengths that provide effective treatments on patients of all skin types. Our alexandrite crystal is best suited for lighter skin areas and out Nd:YAG laser is safe for darker skinned or tanned patients. Our clinicians may use one or both to provide you with optimal results.

Safe. The Elite+ system has been in clinical use for many years and been proven safe in many publications .

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR TREATMENT

During the treatment, the clinician will guide the device over the treatment area. As he or she does, it will deliver light energy, which travels through your skin and is absorbed by the pigment. You will also hear a slight beep as the laser delivers this energy into your skin. It is normal to feel a slight snapping like a rubber band as the energy is being delivered. No cooling is used during the treatment; but a cold pack may be applied post-treatment for comfort. We also offer topical numbing to maximize relief.

AFTER YOUR TREATMENT

Within 5-10 minutes of treatment, the area may appear red, swollen, and more darkly pigmented. This may be evident for several hours. Treated lesions will likely crust, then slough over the course of several days or weeks. Patients should not scratch or pick at crusts. New skin underlying will appear lighter with each subsequent treatment until there is little, to no pigment at all.

Leg Vein Treatment

ABOUT LASER LEG VEIN TREATMENT

Laser leg vein removal offers a nonsurgical solution for removing spider and reticular leg veins in less than 30 minutes with results that are long lasting. More importantly, it is an alternative to surgical leg vein removal, which often leaves scars and requires a lengthy recovery.

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HOW LASER VEIN TREATMENT WORKS

The laser handpiece will deliver light energy into your skin and will be absorbed by the blood within the vein being targeted while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. Once the blood absorbs this energy, the vein will heat up and it will affect the vessel lining. Thus causing the vessel to constrict and eventually fade from view leaving your legs looking clear and as beautiful as ever.

TECHNOLOGY WE USE

We use a state-of-the-art laser device for our leg vein treatments – Cynosure’s® Elite+. The Elite+ encompasses two proven laser wavelengths that provide an array of laser treatments. Treatments with this system are fast, effective, and safe.

Fast. With spot sizes up to 24mm, the Elite+ laser provides fast treatments, allowing you to resume your normal activities as quickly as possible. These larger sized spots make for quick treatments of larger areas such as the back, legs, or chest.

Effective. The Elite+ contains two different wavelengths that provide effective treatments on patients of all skin types. Our alexandrite crystal is best suited for lighter skin areas and out Nd:YAG laser is safe for darker skinned or tanned patients. Our clinicians may use one or both to provide you with optimal results.

Safe. The Elite+ system has been in clinical use for many years and been proven safe in many publications .

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR TREATMENT

Before your Elite+ leg vein treatment, the clinician will typically apply a gel to the area being treated. This will help ensure the laser energy is delivered appropriately and will help cool the area during and after the treatment. The provider will begin the treatment by moving the laser handpiece over your skin, following the length of the vein and pulsing the energy as they go. You will be provided safety goggles before the treatment to protect your eyes but you may still see flashes of light as the laser energy is being delivered to your skin. You will also feel a mild sensation and heat on the skin during the treatment but air cooling may be used to help with any discomfort. We also offer topical numbing to maximize relief.

AFTER YOUR TREATMENT

Immediately after treatment the vessels may undergo graying or blanching, or they may exhibit a slight purple or red color change. The vessels will fully or partially fade in about ten to fourteen days. While many patients experience near resolution of unwanted vessels after their first treatment, it is common to need additional sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Laser Hair Removal

WHAT AREAS CAN LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREAT?

Laser hair removal can remove hair from faces, backs, chests, arms, underarms, bikini, legs and more.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

Different lasers can effectively treat different skin types. Our laser can be used on a wide range of skin types from very light to very dark skin. During your consultation we will determine the best course of treatment for you based on a variety of factors such as hair color and hair type.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

Typically, we recommend a series of six treatment sessions to provide the best aesthetic outcome. Laser hair removal technology can only affect hair in active phases of growth, so several treatments are needed to affect all of the unwanted hair.

CAN I SHAVE IN BETWEEN LASER HAIR REMOVAL SESSIONS?

Yes. In fact, the area needs to be freshly shaved before your treatment session. You may shave the area the day before the treatment or the day of the treatment before coming in for your session. But you should not wax or pluck the hair during the course of your laser sessions.

HOW FAR APART ARE TREATMENT SESSIONS?

It depends on which area is being treated. In general, face, underarms, arms, and bikini are approximately 4-6 weeks apart. Back, chest, and legs are approximately 8-10 weeks apart. During your consultation your treatment course will be discussed

WHAT WILL LASER HAIR REMOVAL FEEL LIKE?

Most people feel only a slight momentary “snap” at the treatment site during the procedure followed by a slight heating of the skin. This typically goes away after the treatment but cooling methods can be used immediately after to help with this sensation.

HOW QUICKLY WILL I RECOVER?

Typically, you can resume regular daily activities immediately following treatment.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

You may experience a mild, sunburn-like sensation, possibly accompanied by some minor redness and/or swelling immediately following the treatment. This usually lasts 2-24 hours. Ask your provider to discuss other possible side effects and the necessary post-treatment care with you.

PIGMENTED LESIONS

WHAT WILL IT FEEL LIKE?

Treatments are very well tolerated. Many clients describe the treatment as a ‘warm sensation’ or the snap of a rubber band.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

The procedure typically takes less than 20 minutes to perform depending on the size of the area or number of pigmented lesions being treated. Often you will see great results after the first treatment session but 2-3 sessions may be required for optimal outcomes.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE A TREATMENT?

You will need to avoid the sun, tanning beds and self-tanning creams and lotions prior to treatment. There may be some medications that you will need to avoid and your physician will cover these during your consultation.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

Some patients experience a mild sunburn sensation for a short time after the procedure. We may apply some ice immediately following your treatment to help minimize this. The pigmented lesions will darken over the next few days. The area will look a bit “dirty” or dark for about a week. Over this time, the treated skin will slough off, revealing fresh new skin.

HOW QUICKLY WILL I RECOVER?

Typically, you can resume regular daily activities immediately following treatment. Makeup can be applied to the treated area immediately, if necessary. It is extremely important to apply a moisturizer with SPF30 sun block and avoid sun exposure on a daily basis to prevent additional sun damage

AM I A CANDIDATE?

Our laser specialists can give you a consultation and talk with you about your skin type to confirm if you would be a good candidate for this treatment.

WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED?

Laser pigment clearance can be performed on the face and chest, as well as on the hands, arms and legs.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

This will often depend on the pigmented lesion you have. For some brown spots, only a single treatment is needed, for others, a series of treatments may be recommended. Often you will see improvements within a couple weeks, with further improvements on subsequent treatments until you have achieved the overall improvement you desire.

LEG VEIN TREATMENT

WHAT TYPES OF VEINS CAN BE TREATED?

It is ideal for spider veins and reticular veins on your legs.

HOW LONG DOES THE TREATMENT TAKE?

Depending on the size of the area being treated, they can take just minutes. Typically, treatments are no longer than 30 minutes.

WHAT TYPE OF RESULT CAN I EXPECT?

Many patients experience immediate improvement in the appearance of their leg veins following the treatment followed by continued improvement over the next week or so.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

A series of treatments may be needed to fully clear blood vessels and reduce the appearance of the leg veins completely. Typically one to four sessions are needed for desired results.

WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE FEEL LIKE?

Patients describe a range of sensations from tingling to the snap of a rubber band during the procedure. You may also feel warmth during and after the procedure on the area that was treated.

WHEN CAN I RESUME MY DAILY ACTIVITIES?

Typically, there is no downtime and you can return to your daily activities immediately following the procedure.

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